April 15, 2011 – National Day of Silence

On Friday, April 15, 2011, you can show your support of gay rights by participation in the National Day of Silence. Thousands of students will maintain their silence for part or all of the day. They may hand out statements explaining the nature of their protest.

On this day students take a vow of silence to call attention to the damaging effects of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. In remaining silent you’re making a powerful statement about the important issue of anti-LGBT bullying. “Hate is not tolerated” is the message spread in this effort. When you organize a Day of Silence event and ask others to join you, that message becomes louder and stronger. You can use this attention as a building block in your plans for larger anti-bullying action.

Some school organizers also create or purchase pins or stickers to put on lockers and t-shirts. Others dress in all black, with rainbow ribbons or gags to emphasize the cause and their presence. Also if allowed, special announcements during the day allow the event to be recognized by the school.

For more information about how to get involved or start planning for next year’s event, check out ItGetsBetter.org or GLSEN.org.

You can also take the Pledge as follows: ”Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I’ll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I’ll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that “It Gets Better.”

This post was written by Judge Tom. Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including the recently published 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing). When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

Having been raised in the bible belt, I am not a supporter of gay rights. However, I am a supporter of the Constitution and Freedom of Speech…very glad to see the students take a stand against harassment and bullying.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is
made available to the general public and is not intended
to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained
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From What Are My Rights? 95 Questions and Answers About
Teens and the Law by Thomas A. Jacobs, J.D., copyright
2006. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing Inc.,
Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com.
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